Fein multimaster vs Festool sanders

[coug]

This is my first post so be gentle!  I have started to get serious about woodworking in the past couple of years.  It started with home renovations and last year I built two end tables and a large aquarium stand, all out of red oak.  I have a planer, table saw, miter saw, drill press and router with table for my major tools.  I have decided to jump in with Festool as much as I can for future purchases.  I will be getting either the TS75 or TS55REQ in a few weeks with my tax return; need to do some more research on those. 

I have been using my Fein Multimaster as my sander and it seems to do a good job, but to be honest I have never used any other power sanders so it is hard to compare.  My question is how much more performance will I see if I move to a RO or ETS 150?  Reason I ask is that I am trying to decide if I want to get a Festool sander plus the CT26 or 36, or maybe invest instead in a larger dust system like the Oneida mini-gorilla for my planer and table saw, then also get a CT26 or 36 for my smaller tools.  I have been using a shop vac with a dust deputy for all of my dust extraction, and I could use a better system for my planer and table saw.  I could also buy the mini-gorilla and a sander, and just use my shopvac for the sander and other smaller tools, but I really like the idea of the variable suction for sanding. 

Anyway, any advice is appreciated!

 

[3PedalMINI]

its no comparison.

The finish you can achieve with an ETS125 and RO125-150 is absolutely astonishing. you can take a rough board and in a relatively short amount of time take that down to literally a mirror finish starting with a low grit and going to a ultra high fine grit. There is a video somewhere floating around with this being done ( i have personally done it numerous times)

The balance and smoothness of festools sanders are the absolute best bar none. and on top of the amaizing results you can achieve you can do it pretty much dust free when used with CT series dust extractors.

Welcome to the FOG!

 

[Sparktrician]

The Multimaster is a great tool for some circumstances, but it's one of those tools that just does not seem to excel at most applications.  I think that no matter which Festool sander you choose, you'll see an immediate improvement in quality of finish, part of that due to superb dust extraction.  The CT 26 is a wonderful dust extractor to start with.  Just remember to turn it down to no more than 1/3 power when sanding to avoid having the abrasive sucked into the surface being finished.  

Oh, and  [welcome]  to the FOG.  Enjoy your stay.

 

[Alan m]

If you can afford it get both dc systems. If not get the bigger extracter for you bigger tools andcuse the shop vac for the sander for the time being

I havent used my multimaster for sanding since I got my ro90. The MM was only good for the delto pad., the ro90 does that way better
Personally I would get the ro150 and ro90 .

Also welcome to the fog

 

[stvrowe]

I have both the Multimaster and several Festool sanders.  The Multimaster is a fantastic tool but not so much for sanding.  You will experience a quantum leap in sanding performance with either the ETS or RO sander.  As far as the CT selection goes, I have had a CT22 for 10 years and a CT26 for about 3 years.  This is the right size for my use.  I can see benefits to the larger units if you needed something that generates a large volume of fluffed up chips (such as a planer or perhaps heavy router use).  The larger sizes would be great for shop use but, transporting to a jobsite might be problematic depending on your transportation.

And,  [welcome] to the FOG

Steve

 

[jacko9]

This is my first post so be gentle!  I have started to get serious about woodworking in the past couple of years.  It started with home renovations and last year I built two end tables and a large aquarium stand, all out of red oak.   I have a planer, table saw, miter saw, drill press and router with table for my major tools.  I have decided to jump in with Festool as much as I can for future purchases.  I will be getting either the TS75 or TS55REQ in a few weeks with my tax return; need to do some more research on those. 

I have been using my Fein Multimaster as my sander and it seems to do a good job, but to be honest I have never used any other power sanders so it is hard to compare.  My question is how much more performance will I see if I move to a RO or ETS 150?  Reason I ask is that I am trying to decide if I want to get a Festool sander plus the CT26 or 36, or maybe invest instead in a larger dust system like the Oneida mini-gorilla for my planer and table saw, then also get a CT26 or 36 for my smaller tools.  I have been using a shop vac with a dust deputy for all of my dust extraction, and I could use a better system for my planer and table saw.  I could also buy the mini-gorilla and a sander, and just use my shopvac for the sander and other smaller tools, but I really like the idea of the variable suction for sanding. 

Anyway, any advice is appreciated!

Welcome to the FOG and to woodworking.  Your asking a few questions so let me reply with a few comments;  I have the Fein Multimaster and there is very little comparison to the Festool sanders.  The two Festool sanders that you might find useful are the RO 90 and the ETS 150/3 coupled to a Festool Dust Extractor.

In the past few years I looked into dust collection for my jointer, planer and table saw and I think if you talk to the folks at Oneida you'' find that the mini-gorilla might be a stretch for those machines.  After a lot of thought and discussions I bought the V-3000 system and it works perfect for my major dust and chip making machines.

If you have to prioritize your purchases, I would get the ETS 150/3 with the CT26 or 36 first and then look seriously into the Domino joiner that will enable you to do rapid and easy mortise and tenon work and you'll already have the CT unit to work with it.

You don't mention a Jointer and in opinion that is one of the basic tools in woodworking (furniture/cabinet making).  Yes you can buy "straight wood" at a quality lumber dealer but, wood moves continuously in varying degrees depending on species and cut direction and a jointer is what you need to use at the start of any non-sheet goods project.  Get one with at least an 8" wide table.

Jack

 

[peter halle]

I've hadmy Multimaster for more than 12 years and love it.  Drop me on a desert island that has electricity and only one tool choice and the MMis that choice for me.

Sanding with the MMin my experience is best for home improvement projects that will be covered with multiple layers of thick paint.

The Festool sanders eat the MM's sanding performance without thinking. 

Peter

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I purchased a Fein Multimaster to perform some undercutting functions in door jambs with regard to a few tile projects I have on the go.  What a great tool !

I didn't think I would ever bother using the Fein sanding discs, as I am heavily invested in Festool sanders. 

I decided to try the Fein as a sander once.  Once. 

Festool makes really great sanders, abrasives, and impeccable dust collection.  The Fein is a great tool, just not for sanding. 

Brian

Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

[coug]

Thanks everyone!  It looks like one of the Festool sanders is on my list. I know there are many threads on choosing a sander so I have some reading to do.  Definitely will get the package with the CT26 or 36.

Jack, I do not have a jointer yet.  I get all of my lumber from a local guy and it is all rough cut.  I straighten one edge on my router table with an offset fence then the other side on my table saw.  I have a sled for my planer in case there is a little twist or warp.  So far so good, but a jointer is in my long-term plans.  Also, thanks for the insight on the mini-gorilla.  I will probably keep using the shopvac + dust deputy for that and the table saw as it does the job, then the CT26 or 36 for my sander, track saw, biscuit joiner and other handheld tools.

 

[Bob Marino]

 The more frequently asked question used to be Fein MM vs the Festool DX 93 as both have similar shapes and pad size. The abbreviated answer is that the Fein was the way more versatile tool, the Festool the better sander.
You have gotten good advice here about the Festool sanders; my favorite would be either of the ETS 150 sanders.

Bob

 

[coug]

 The more frequently asked question used to be Fein MM vs the Festool DX 93 as both have similar shapes and pad size. The abbreviated answer is that the Fein was the way more versatile tool, the Festool the better sander.
You have gotten good advise here about the Festool sanders; my favorite would be either of the ETS 150 sanders.

Bob

Thanks!  I am leaning towards the 150/3 because it seems to do well at the fine end.  But I also see where the RO150 or 90 would also be nice to have, but maybe as a second sander.  I have found that I get a lot of use out of the triangle attachment on the MM for corners and such. 

 

[fin]

i saw a kitchen fitter using a festool sander last year on a house refurb we were on. he fitted solid counter tops and sanded down the join. the finish was fantastic.

i dont have much real need for a sander. i use my multi master most often if i need a sander. or for larger areas i have a random orbit sander. but its only a cheap thing. cost me like £30 from a large diy chain shop in england. (b&q)

id bet if i did use a festool sander id see such the difference like.